{"id":34880,"date":"2026-04-20T00:21:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T00:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/?p=34880"},"modified":"2026-04-20T00:21:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T00:21:54","slug":"aaaes-act-releases-new-report-on-how-airports-are-adapting-to-rising-electrical-demand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/news\/airports\/aaaes-act-releases-new-report-on-how-airports-are-adapting-to-rising-electrical-demand\/%20","title":{"rendered":"AAAE\u2019s ACT Releases New Report on How Airports Are Adapting to Rising Electrical Demand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The American Association of Airport Executives\u2019 (AAAE) Airport Consortium on Transformation<\/a> (ACT), comprised of innovative airport leaders and aviation industry experts, has released an industry report examining how U.S. airports are preparing for unprecedented electrical demand and increasingly utility-like operational responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As airports electrify vehicles, ground service equipment fleets, terminals, heating systems, and airside operations \u2014 while also deploying solar, battery storage, and microgrids \u2014 many are now required to plan, monitor, and manage power systems with a level of sophistication traditionally associated with electrical utilities. Developed in partnership with Siemens, the report provides a comprehensive look at the challenges airports face as electrification accelerates, highlighting where airports are making progress and where significant gaps remain, including real-time power monitoring, staffing capacity, redundancy planning, and tenant transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis report underscores the challenge and opportunity that airports have to transform the energy management approach to drive meaningful improvements across our industry,\u201d said Amy Nagengast, PhD, P.E., Energy Program Manager, San Francisco International Airport. \u201cWith SFO\u2019s energy demands projected to grow significantly over the next 30 years, the time to modernize, digitize, and implement further resilient energy infrastructure systems is here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Report Provides In-Depth Look at Airports\u2019 Emerging Utility Role<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research draws on extensive interviews with eight participating ACT airports including San Francisco International, Los Angeles World Airports, Denver International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Tampa International, San Luis Obispo County Regional, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., the Wayne County Airport Authority (Detroit Metropolitan Airport), and contributing airport Gerald R. Ford International in Grand Rapids, Mich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBased on the new trends for energy demand, airports find themselves investigating ways to more effectively and efficiently deliver power to their stakeholders,\u201d said John Kasuda, Head of Airports and Vertiports, Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA. “Utility companies leverage their proven processes to do just that; it\u2019s a model that served as the basis for our research here. Partnerships like the one we have with ACT are so valuable because together we can explore these important topics and shape the future of airports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As electrification accelerates, ACT remains committed to helping airports share insights, build industry-ready tools, and address the complex challenges associated with modern electrical infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAAAE is proud to support research that gives airports a clearer understanding of how electrification is reshaping their infrastructure needs,\u201d added Kyle Herbig, Senior Vice President of Airport Solutions, AAAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the Report Examines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report seeks to answer the question of whether airports are acting like utility companies, examining key areas including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n